RoHS compliance means an electrical or electronic product meets the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) rules, which limit the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). For EV chargers, RoHS compliance focuses on restricting the use of certain substances in components such as PCBs, cables, connectors, solders, plastics, coatings, and electronic subassemblies.
RoHS is primarily a materials compliance requirement (what the product is made of), and it is typically demonstrated through a Declaration of Conformity and supporting technical documentation.
Which Substances Does RoHS Restricts
Under RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU) and its Annex II restrictions, the commonly referenced restricted-substances list includes 10 substances, each limited to homogeneous materials (i.e., individual material layers/parts) at defined maximum concentrations.
The four “RoHS 3” additions are phthalates:
– DEHP
– BBP
– DBP
– DIBP
Why RoHS Compliance Matters for EV Chargers
RoHS compliance matters because it impacts:
– Market access for EV chargers placed on the EU market
– Import/customs checks and customer qualification requirements
– Product design decisions (solders, coatings, plastics, cable jackets)
– Supply chain control and documentation readiness (component declarations, BOM risk)
For B2B customers (CPOs, installers, public procurement), RoHS is often a baseline requirement alongside CE/UKCA technical compliance.
How RoHS Compliance Is Achieved in Practice
RoHS compliance is usually managed through a combination of supplier control, engineering choices, and documentation:
– Supplier declarations and material datasheets for components and subassemblies
– BOM-level checks for restricted substances and exemption usage
– Manufacturing controls for solders, coatings, and polymer selections
– Technical documentation supporting conformity and traceability
RoHS Exemptions and Why They Matter
RoHS includes exemptions (listed in annexes) that allow the use of restricted substances in specific technical cases (often involving lead in certain alloys, solders, or electronic components). These exemptions can be time-limited and updated, so manufacturers must track whether any used exemptions remain valid for the product category and placement date.
EU vs UK RoHS Considerations
RoHS is an EU framework, but UK RoHS rules also apply when placing products on the Great Britain market, with UK guidance describing obligations for in-scope EEE and what to do if a product is suspected to be non-compliant.
Common RoHS Risk Areas in EV Chargers
– Lead-containing solders in electronic assemblies and connectors (often managed via compliant solders or exemptions)
– Cable insulation and plastics containing restricted phthalates
– Coatings and surface treatments that can introduce restricted substances
– Mixed supply chains where component compliance documentation is incomplete or outdated
Related Glossary Terms
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
CE marking
REACH compliance
Bill of materials (BOM)
Supply chain compliance
Material declaration
Product compliance documentation